e mërkurë, 19 shtator 2007

Do You Need a Dog Kennel Fence?

There's nothing better then coming home from work only to find that your dog has gotten into yours or your neighbors

trash and has scattered garbage up and down the street. Or even better is finding your favorite lawn chair or a pair

of sandals all chewed up in the backyard. And there is no worse feeling then finding out your dog got out and either

ran away or ran out into the street only to get hit by a car.

If you do not have a fenced yard or your dog easily escapes from your backyard then it may be time to install that

dog kennel fence. Putting one together is not hard and will go along ways towards keeping your four legged friend

safe. In fact if you have a big tree in your backyard you can build your dog kennel around it, giving your dog shade

during the hot summer months.

Fencing for a dog kennel can be bought at any home improvement or pet store and is relatively inexpensive. When you

take the plunge and start planning your dog kennel you will need to lay out the perimeter in your yard. Take

measurements to figure out how much fence will be needed. Dog kennel fence comes in rolls starting at 50 feet up to

100 feet. You will also need to decide how high you want your kennel fence to be. If you have a small dog that

doesn't jump very high then a shorter fence will do. For bigger dogs 5 to 6 foot high fences are needed.

The other thing to think about when buying your material is how smart is your dog. There are dogs out there that can

figure out how to climb a fence and get out of their yard or kennel. If this is something your dog has shown some

ability to do you might consider a dog kennel fence with smaller holes or put a roof over the kennel. A dog kennel

is of little use if your dog can easily get out.

The safety of your dog is the primary reason for building a dog kennel fence, but the peace of mind for you, his

owner, knowing that he is safe when you are not home is also worth a lot.

e martë, 18 shtator 2007

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Aging

The usual signs of ageing are:

1) Grey hair around the muzzle.

2) Skin and coat become drier.

3) Movement is slowed. It will take Fido longer to lie down or get up. He doesn't take steps two at a time anymore.

4) Movement can appear stiff, especially after lying down.

5) Hearing and eyesight deteriorate.

6) Teeth show signs of wear and tear.

7) More time is spent sleeping and less in play with you and other dogs.

8) Some dogs become incontinent and some older dogs develop bad smells.

Not a pretty picture but not much unlike our own ageing patterns!

Usually, however, you're aging along with your dog. While Fido may no longer want to go hiking with you, you may

welcome a quieter dog who just wants to watch TV with you.

It's still important to take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Some of the symptoms above can be mitigated

by medication or special diets.

Some of the symptoms above are exaggerated by physical conditions such as arthritis that can be treated. There are a

range of prescription and alternative treatments available to dogs today. There are special diets, there is

acupuncture, there are chiropractic treatments, aromatherapy. Just about any treatment for humans now has a canine

equivalent.

The other good news is that contrary to the old wives tale, you can teach an old dog new tricks. You use the same

techniques that have worked on your dog in the past.

Sometimes older dogs are perceived as being harder to train because their behavior patters are more ingrained. It

may take longer to teach Fido a new trick but your patience will be rewarded.

One other thing - don't let your pet insurance lapse as your dog ages. Most insurance companies have an age cut-off

beyond which they will not accept new policy holders. The most frequent cut-off point is 8-years-old age for small

breed dogs. If you have a decent policy, hangon to it.

e hënë, 17 shtator 2007

What are Modular Dog Kennels and Are they Worth a Dime?

What Exactly Are Modular Dog Kennels?

Finding the right dog kennel solution starts with understanding your options.

One popular option among dog owners is purchasing a modular dog kennel.

Modular dog kennels are kennels that are pre-made to specific standards and almost always come in sections you have

to assemble.

Obvious advantages of the modular dog kennel are:

a) Outside and inside construction options.

Modular dog kennels can be set up inside or outside depending on the area you have available for set up.

b) Better materials.

Depending on where you buy from you have a wider range of materials to choose from.

Modular dog kennels are made from chain link, steel wire mesh, high gauge steel, to welded ornamental materials.

c) Stronger construction.

The more elaborate modular dog kennels are available with welded wire mesh and parts to increase strength and

security.

d) You're not limited to one design.

You are able to adjust or modify the kennel panels to create different designs giving you more options on placement

and design.

While not available from every supplier of Modular dog kennels this option is gaining more popularity among dog

owners.

e) Affordable.

If you compare outdoor dog kennels or other options with modular dog kennels you will quickly find the option is

affordable for even the most cash strapped household.

In the end modular dog kennels give you and your dog a lot of flexibility when it comes to your pooches living

space. Whether you plan to set up an inside or outside kennel it will be hard to find a better option than a modular

dog kennel.

e diel, 16 shtator 2007

Dog Kennels: Select The Right One For Peace Of Mind When You're Out Of Town

For most dog owners, choosing among the many dog kennels that are out there is one of the hardest tasks to do,

especially because you are already faced with the prospect of going away from home without your best pal.

No matter where you decide to leave your dog, no one will be able to take care of them like you can, so you want a

place that is as comfortable and as close to home as possible for your dog.

Remember that some dog kennels are going to be pricier than others, as some of the more expensive facilities

considered "dog boarding spas" will very much cater to your dog's individual needs. Not everyone can afford these

expensive facilities though.

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you find an affordable dog boarding facility that is right for your

pooch…

Requires Vaccinations...

Remember that your dog will be boarded alongside other pets, so it is best to find a facility that requires dogs to

be updated on vaccinations before kenneling. This is to protect your dogs as much as it is to protect the staff. The

two most important vaccinations are rabies and bordetella. The bordetella shot protects dogs from receiving "kennel

cough," a common cold that is passed from dogs who are boarded in close proximity.

Meets Your Dog's Needs...

Unfortunately there are some dog boarding kennels that are just overwhelmed with too many dogs and too little staff.

This means your dog will probably get the basic necessities like being let out to go to the bathroom on a minimal

basis and getting two meals a day. A good facility will make sure your dog receives necessary medications, special

foods for their diet, as well as adequate outdoor time. If you are going out of town and have a new puppy, you may

also want to consider finding a place like a puppy kennel that specifically takes care of puppies or at least a

facility that has adequate staff to watch over a potty training puppy.

A Clean Facility...

One of the most important factors you should look for is a clean facility. This means that the kennels are hosed

down on a regular basis to remove any urine or feces. As well, the facility is cleaned with disinfectants and the

animals are cleaned immediately in the case of an accident. When you stop by to check out the facility, if the

kennels and dogs there don't seem clean, trust your instincts.

Adequate Exercise Facilities...

Many experienced dog owners will tell you that the most frustrating experience with dog kennels is coming home to

find their dog bouncing off the walls. Although they will inevitably be excited to see you, this can also mean that

they didn't receive any exercise while you were gone. While it might be nice to board your pet at a veterinarian's

office because of the comforts of having a pet doctor nearby, many don't have any backyard space for exercising the

dogs.

If your dog has medium to high level exercise needs, you should look for a place that has a fenced in play yard or

one that offers special services for extra prices, like a game of fetch twice a day or an extra walk for fifteen

minutes. Although dog kennels will never be home to your pet, they shouldn't be a traumatizing experience either.

Finding a place that treats your pet right will help you enjoy your time away from home.